WORKING ASSETS CUSTOMERS GIVE NEARLY $40,000 TO DPF

DPF recently received great news from Working Assets, the long-distance phone and credit service. Working Assets constructs a contribution pool for nonprofit groups by setting aside one percent of customers' charges. DPF was recently added to the company's list of "36 Organizations Building a Better World," qualifying DPF for a share of the hundreds of thousands of dollars Working Assets distributes each year.
On April 13, Working Assets sent a check for $22,081, representing DPF's share of the overall contribution pool. In addition, the Tides Foundation sent a check for $16,954 in funds voluntarily provided by Working Assets customers above and beyond the normal amount slated for DPF.

WORKING ASSETS

Every time a Working Assets customer uses one of the company's services — long-distance calling, credit cards or travel booking — a contribution goes to nonprofit groups. Since DPF now uses Working Assets for its long distance, every time a new customer names DPF when signing up, DPF receives a $20 credit toward its phone bill.
For more information about Working Assets, call (800) 788-8588.

GET YOUR ANNUAL AWARDS NOMINATIONS IN TODAY!

Each year, DPF recognizes the achievements of leading reformers. The input of members like you is a crucial part of this process. With seven categories of awards, it's likely you know someone who deserves a nomination.
 

The deaclline for 1995 has been extended to June 15. No submissions can be accepted after that date. Don't miss your chance to be part of the process this year!

After nominations are received, they are circulated among former award winners and DPF officers. Previous winners span a wide range of disciplines, from mayors to marijuana activists, street workers to academics, and judges to journalists.

The award categories are as follows:

•    Outstanding Achievement — The Richard J. Dennis Drugpeace Award
•    Scholarship — The Alfred R. Lindesmith Award
•    Citizen Action — The Robert C. Randall Award
•    Law Enforcement — The H.B. Spear Award
•    Law — The Justice Gerald LeDain Award
•    Medicine and Treatment — The Norman Zinberg Award
•    Journalism — The Edward M. Brecher Award

Address your nominations to Pam Griffin at DPF's Washington office. Write us if you would like a history and explanation of the DPF awards.

NEW DPF GRANTS ANNOUNCED

The second round of grants from DPF's grant program were awarded in April. Once again, the focus of the grant-giving was harm reduction programs, along with support for advocacy efforts. Some highlights:

Needle exchange programs:
•    Denver — $25,000 to PEERS (People Engaged in Education and Reduction Strategies) to set up Denver's first needle exchange program. The program will operate two afternoons per week from a fixed site.
•    Chicago — $25,000 to the Chicago Recovery Alliance to continue operating two exchanges on the city's north side.
•    Northern California — $25,000 to organizers of underground needle exchanges in Santa Cruz and Monterey County to form the Central Coast Needle Exchange Project, a cooperative that will assist both currently operating programs and new programs.

Other harm reduction programs:
•    New York City — $10,000 to St. Ann's Corner of Harm Reduction to expand a drop-in center.
•    Philadelphia — $25,000 to Prevention Point, to develop a pioneering harm reduction program targeting crack cocaine users who risk contracting HIV from unsafe sex.
•    San Francisco —$15,000 to the Harm Reduction Coalition, a coordinating body, to support the Northeast Harm Reduction Conference in New York June 9-10.

Advocacy projects:
•    Hawaii — $20,000 to the Hawaii Drug Policy Options Group, a Honolulu-based group advocating new approaches to drug policy.
•    Washington, D.C. — a total of $38,000 to support Families Against Mandatory Minimums and the Sentencing Project, established organizations advocating changes in criminal sentencing policies.
•    Washington, D.C. — $5,000 to MayDay Media to promote the new video, "Fire in Our House," about needle exchange programs.
•    Syracuse, N.Y. — $2,500 to ReconsiDer, a group advocating a new approach to drug policy in New York state.
•    Christchurch, New Zealand — $3,500 to the Drug Policy Institute ofNew Zealand, a group of prominent professionals and personalities seeking changes in the nation's drug policy, to build membership.

The Grant Program is administered through DPF's New York office. For a complete, up-to-date listing of grantees, or a copy of the grant guidelines, please write DPF at 888 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1901, New York, NY 10106 or call Eric Columbus, Grants Administrator, at (212) 887- 0625, fax: (212) 489-8455, E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Grant guidelines and application requirements are being updated frequently. Be sure to call prior to submission to ensure that you have the latest version.